Facts About Nigel Mansell

Nigel Mansell was one of the best racing drivers to hail from the UK, the peak of his career being during the 80s and 90s, culminating in a championship win in 1992. Here are some facts about this driver who had such a long and eventful career.

1.Did you know that Nigel Mansell has a circuit corner named after him? One of the corners on the Mexican Grand Prix race course is named ‘Nigel Mansell Corner’. Experience the ultimate track day with a Mexico F1 Paddock Club booking for the next Mexican Grand Prix. If you’d love to see Nigel Mansell Corer for real, then consider a Mexico F1 Paddock Club visit.

2.People have unkindly said his voice was dull, but there was nothing dull about his career. He was renowned for daring manoeuvres, strong handling of the some of the most powerful cars on earth and his rivalry with drivers of the time, Prost and Senna. He was often said to be awkward to work with, with a demanding personality.

3.Mansell’s racing career is linked to that of the legend that was Ayrton Senna. He went toe-to-toe with this giant of the racing world to earn his place in the hall of fame of Formula 1 drivers.

4.Mansell achieved his greatest success with two periods spent with the Williams team. On Mansell’s second departure, the boss, Frank Williams said of him that he was conceited, arrogant but brilliant.

5.Mansell had many doubters throughout his career and had to work hard to earn his stripes. Incredibly, he once broke his neck and was told he was lucky not to be paralysed. His response? He discharged himself form hospital and went back to racing!

6.Nobody could doubt his determination. On his debut in 1980 with Lotus, a fuel leak in the cockpit led to him receiving first and second degree burns but he refused to give up and only stopped when a mechanical failure forced him to.

7.He was born in August 1953 in Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire. He is the only racing driver to hold two titles simultaneously, those of Formula One World Champion in 1992 and the CART World Series in 1993. He won the CART title in his debut season.

8.During the 80s and 90s, he was known in the British media as ‘Our Nige’.

9.Mansell’s career spanned an impressive 15 seasons and his final full seasons at top-level racing came in the CART series.

10. He is the best British Formula One driver of all time in terms of the number of race wins. That figure being 31. This puts him in 4th place overall, just behind Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.

11. Murray Walker placed Mansell in the top 10 of all-time racing drivers and he would know. Walker was a Formula One commentator for half a century!

12. ESPN has ranked Mansell 24th on their list of all-time greatest drivers.